Swedish women have hit back after a woman's hijab was torn off in an apparently racist attack.

Campaigners have been posting pictures of themselves wearing Muslim headscarves on social media in solidarity with the pregnant woman, who was treated in hospital after the assault in Stockholm.

The Hijab Outcry campaigners are demanding the Swedish government "ensure Swedish Muslim women are guaranteed the right to religious freedom".

Among the activists using the hashtag #hijabuppropet (hijab call-to-action in Swedish) to upload pictures to Twitter were television presenter Gina Dirawi and lawyer Asa Romson.

They hope to raise awareness of the "discrimination that affects Muslim women" in Sweden.

Solidarity: The group are asking for Swedish Muslims' 'right to freedom'

Writing in Swedish newspaper Aftonbladet, they said: "We believe that's reason enough in a country where the number of reported hate crimes against Muslims is on the rise - and where women tie their headscarves extra tight so that it won't get ripped off - for the prime minister and other politicians to take action to stop the march of fascism".

But Hanna Gadban, a feminist Muslim commentator, believes the campaign is counterproductive.

"We talk naive about human rights. Should we give men power and confirmation that they have the right to force their women and children to veil themselves?" she told Aftonbladet

"It is ridiculous. I became angry yesterday when I read about it. Many people emailed me: 'What are they doing?', 'What is going on in Sweden?'

"This reinforces racism ... I see the veil as a cultural, religious, sexual and political symbol.

"How many women choose to veil themselves? In my experience, it may be around 10% who choose it without pressure."